EU and Pacific to discuss Cotonou replacement in Apia

The European Union will have further talks with leaders during this week's Pacific Forum summit about what they want in the replacement of the Cotonou Agreement.

Photo: RNZI/ Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

The agreement outlines the EU's commitments in terms of aid, trade and development to countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

There are 14 Pacific members of the ACP and the EU has already indicated it wants a more region specific approach.

The EU's Pacific Ambassador, Andrew Jacobs, said it had already been made clear that the Pacific wants a diversified approach that reflects the region's challenges.

"We are going to have further discussions with the Pacific leaders on what they see as some of the priorities for the new agreement which we need to start negotiating and which will take the place of the Cotonou Agreement in 2020."